Leeds Combination League: Unbeaten Fforde and City motor ahead at top

Although The Leeds Combination Association Football League may only be into its fourth week, the tables are beginning to establish who will be the contenders this season.

In the Jubilee Premier Division, it seems likely that Chapeltown Fforde Greene will be there or thereabouts.

After last week’s cup defeat against their reserve side, a 4-0 victory against Hope Inn Whites made it three wins from three in the league; Fernando Moke, Daniel Sheriffe, Kieron Goodison and Michael Nelson among the goals.

Leeds City Rovers also have a 100 per cent record though they have only played twice.

Up against winless Main Line Social, Rovers celebrated an emphatic away win as goals from Rob Holliday, Kevin Brough, Paul Wills and two from Nick Clarke sealed a 5-1 victory.

Undefeated JB Celtic travelled to Horsforth Fairweather who were chasing their first win of the season.

However neither team could get the result they desired and had to settle for a draw in a thriller that ended 3-3, as Rob Wilson and John Malinson each bagged a brace for their respective sides.

Steven Palfrey’s hat-trick for HT Sports looked to give his side their maiden win of the season, yet they were denied after the abandonment of their match against Seacroft WMC.

In the Premier Division, Kippax and East Leeds Celtic top the table with 100 per cent records. Kippax won 6-1 at West Leeds Wortley whilst East Leeds also won on their travels, overcoming Halton 3-1.

Matching Kippax’s result, Jamie Scott scored five as Swillington Welfare got off the mark against Garforth Sports and Social, while Harehills WMC and Chapeltown Fforde Greene Reserves shared a point.

The thriller came at Hunslet Parnaby however, as they entertained the previously unbeaten Colton. Gary Driscoll set the home side on their way with four goals, and one each from Joe Storey and Kyle Swithenbank meant braces from Ashley Bell and Mikey O’Brian, along with a solitary strike from Oliver Mallinson, were not enough for the visitors.

Chasing a fourth successive Division 1 victory, Millshaw Park were held to a 3-3 draw against Moortown Albion, meaning Chapel Allerton’s 2-1 win over Beechwood put them level at the top on 10 points.

New Pudsey are just a point below their rivals having played one game less, and yet while they have completed just three fixtures, they are on plus 19 goal difference already.

At the fourth time of asking, East Leeds secured their first win of the season as they overcame fouth-placed Halton, 3-1.

Oulton Athletic are still without a point after losing to Pendas Arms. Liam Atkinson netted twice for Oulton, but Dave Turner’s double and one from Jack Maguire secured Pendas their second win of the season.

In Division Two, Corpus Christi are the team to beat and they maintained their impressive start to the season with their fourth straight win.

Phil Jarvis and Liam Attwood both scored twice as Karl Dixon and Connor Reed each grabbed a goal in a 6-2 win at AFC Elford.

Josh Walker scored a hat-trick as FC Horsforth Saints won for the second time this season, defeating winless Pudsey Athletic, 5-1.

Athletic’s closest rivals, Sporting Pudsey, tasted defeat for the first time as South Seacroft thumped them 5-0 to leapfrog them into second in the table. Lee Robinson’s double wasn’t enough to prevent Halfway from losing for the first time, falling 3-2 to Acorn, while the West Leeds derby was one-sided as Armley hammered FC 13-2. Meanwhile, West Yorks Falcons won 2-1 at Gipton.

In Division 3A, Wortley Knights were able to keep their 100 per cent record going as they defeated bottom side Original Oak 6-2. Top of the table East End Park beat West Leeds Farnley 3-1, while New Moorside fell 2-1 at home to AFC Travellers. Tom Kent’s brace for Republica Internationale inflicted another defeat on Amaranth as the home side won 3-1, while Old Hall Town and Halfway House Bramley shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. The top versus bottom clash in Division 3B was closer than predicted as Woodcock beat bottom side Black Lion by a narrow margin in a 3-2 result.

It wasn’t as tight at FC Retailers as a 13-0 demolition of Bramley Town Reserves gave them their first win of the season. Chris Fletcher scored four as Bramley Villagers won for the first time, beating Millshaw Park Ressies 6-0. West Leeds Bramley and Western Juniors won away at Moortown Albion Reserves and Northern Star respectively, but two goals from Haydn Bowler for FC Armley secured a 2-1 home win against Temple.

Victory over Fylde was one to savour for Guiseley caretaker boss St Ledger